Behind the Scenes

A$AP Ferg has a new project on the way titled Still Striving. Announced last month, the campaign for the Trap Lord’s new offering began with the single “East Coast” featuring Remy Ma. Recently, the Harlem and Bronx MCs connected to film the record’s music video directed by Sage English.

“As far as creating the song and the visual, I just feel like I wanted to bring the New York energy back — bring it back to the fun videos and creativity and innovation,” Ferg tells Billboard, who were on set of the video shoot. A$AP Rocky, the rest of A$AP Mob, and French Montana also appears in the clip set to drop in the coming weeks.

French Montana has another potential smash-hit on his hands with the single “Unforgettable.” Along with the Future-assisted “No Pressure,” the Coke Boys rapper released the melodic track featuring Rae Sremmurd’s Swae Lee last week.

Back in March, Montana and Swae Lee headed to Africa, where they filmed the song’s accompanying visual in the country of Uganda. Posted on Instagram, various photos and clips from the shoot shows the Bronx-native amongst people from the local community of Kampala, embracing children who show off their dance routines on film. On Wednesday night (Apr. 12), French posted a short trailer of the music video before it premieres this Friday (Apr. 14).

Though it’s hard to believe, Marlon Brando almost didn’t get the role as the legendary ‘The Godfather.’ The actor was originally seen as “toxic” by the studio at the time of casting. It was the legendary actor’s screen test for the Paramount produced-film that caused director Francis Ford Coppola to lock in his Don Vito Corleone.

During an interview with Annette Insdorf, Coppola revealed how Brando morphed into his Oscar-winning character in a matter of moments with some random props and household items.

“We went to his house on Mulholland Drive and it was early, he wasn’t up. There’s a rumble and the door opens, and in walks this beautiful man with long blond hair, in a Japanese robe. And he came out and looked at all this and figured out what was going on, and he took his hair … he did it up himself in the back, and he took shoe polish and he made it black and he put on a shirt. He took some Kleenex and he pretended to stuff tissue into his mouth. And then he started acting but not saying anything.”

Kodak Black’s Painting Pictures debut album is out now, featuring appearances by Future, Bun B, Jeezy, Young Thug, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. To go along with the album, Kodak Black releases a new documentary entitled Project Baby. The 25-minute documentary gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the Florida rapper, who was raised in the streets of Pompano Beach.

Kodak details his life growing up, start as a rapper, his rise to fame, and various legal issues that has hampered him. Along with commentary from Kodak himself, his family and childhood friends also make appearances in the documentary. The young star currently remains in jail for violating probation earlier this month, as the status of his release is unknown.

Fresh off becoming the first-ever musician in Billboard’s 61-year history to score back-to-back No. 1 albums in consecutive weeks, Future is back to work. The Atlanta artist headed to Toronto this week, to film a music video for “Comin Out Strong” off his HNDRXX LP. The Weeknd, who is featured on the song, joined the rapper to shoot scenes of the dark visual directed by Toronto collective Kid. (Big Sean “Bounce Back,” The Weeknd “Reminder”).

In photos posted by both artists online, a majority of the video was filmed on the city’s subway line. “Made my own family. FBGXO,” captioned Future in one shot, standing on the subway platform alongside the XO crooner. Fans can expect the finished product to arrive before Future embarks on “The Nobody Safe” tour with Migos, Tory Lanez, Kodak Black, Young Thug and A$AP Ferg, kicking off May 4 in Memphis.

It was just last summer Nicki Minaj and Future appeared together on DJ Khaled’s Major Key! single “Do You Mind.” The Young Money Queen and Freebandz rapper have connected once again on an unknown collaboration.

The second “top secret” video of the day comes from the pair, who recently filmed a new visual possibly in support of Minaj’s upcoming fourth solo LP. Minaj took to Instagram on Monday (Feb. 27), sharing a short video of herself and the Atlanta artist seated behind a camera taking in playback. Nicki also shared photos of her sizzling outfit, where she’s seen in all-red highlighted by a visor, kinky knee-high boots and a cut-out bikini showing off a lot of skin and Minaj’s sexy curves.

In the music video for his new single “I Think She Like Me,” Rick Ross throws a lavish masquerade party with singer Ty Dolla $ign. The MMG CEO brought that visual to real life, with the celebration of his 41st birthday on Saturday night (Jan. 28). Held at Rozay’s gigantic Atlanta mansion, the 109-room compound formerly owned by Evander Holyfield, the biggest boss hosted a masquerade-themed soirée to bring in his birthday.

DJ Clark Kent and DJ Mars provided the entertainment all night, as Ross’ trusty Belaire Rosé served as the go-to drink of the night. The birthday party was a gathering of stars as Usher, The-Dream, Big Boi, Jeezy, YG, DeJ Loaf, Curren$y and Big K.R.I.T. were in attendance, along with MMG labelmates Wale, Meek Mill, Rockie Fresh, and Gunplay.

Suit and tie was the dress code for the evening, as the biggest boss was spotted wearing a gold mask and crown throughout the night.

Big Sean’s new album I Decided is set to hit stores next month on February 3. Before that arrives, Sean Don will make his first-ever appearance on Saturday Night Live this weekend. Just days before the show airs, the G.O.O.D. Music star and guest host Aziz Ansari appears in a few promo spots alongside SNL cast member Kate McKinnon. Check out Big Sean meeting Medium Kate, plus some additional clips of Aziz strutting around 30 Rock to Sean’s “Moves” below.

Despite only making a brief cameo, Young Thug’s “Wyclef Jean” video has taken the Internet by storm. The inventive video, which has racked up over three million views since its release on Monday night, is like the breaking of the fourth wall — the Deadpool of music videos, as The Ringerputs it.